Alternatives Options to Nursing Homes

As people get older, one of the things that many elderly individuals can agree on is that they do not want to go into a nursing home. Nursing homes can be scary places for your elderly loved one. Suddenly, your loved one has their entire life ripped apart and they must move into a new home. Unless they are not in their right mind they may not necessarily need a nursing home, and placing them in one may be more harmful than good. For various reasons, your elderly loved ones may be firmly against going to a nursing home, and if they are, then you may wish to try alliterative options for them. There are many alternative options to nursing homes and some may even be better fit for your loved one’s needs. Keep reading to learn about a few of the alternatives to nursing homes.

Share Care

As your elderly loved one grows older, they may need in-home care. Ideally, family members could step in and provide the care for your loved one. However, if your family members do not live close, or if they are too busy to help out, then you may need to consider other options. You may discover that one person in your family cannot take on the full responsibility of caring for your loved one, but many family members may actually be able to put their time together to take care of your loved one. If your family members are able to share the role of caregiving, then your elderly loved one may be able to stay out of a nursing home for a few more years. Sharing care can also occur with friends and neighbors. Your elderly loved one may have great neighbors and friends who can also help out whenever your family members are spread too thin.

You may also be able to share care with a paid caregiver and non-paid family members or friends. If you only have to hire a caregiver for a few hours per week, then the cost will not be that high and your loved one can still stay at home.

Move to a Less Expensive Area

If you are relying on in-home care from a caregiver or a nurse for your loved one, and it gets way too expensive, then consider moving your loved one to a less expensive area. The cost of living and the cost of in-home care vary greatly by the area that you live in. For example, urban areas tend to be a lot more expensive than rural areas. If your loved one lives in an expensive area then consider moving your loved one closer to family members. If you move them closer to you and your other family members, then your family may be able to take care of your loved one part time to reduce costs.

Use Adult Daycare

One fantastic way to cut the costs of in-home healthcare and avoid moving to a nursing home is to utilize adult daycare. Through adult daycare services, your loved one can spend a few hours to a full day at an adult daycare center. These centers tend to be far cheaper than private caregivers and can offer your elderly loved ones meals, activities, exercise programs and transportation. Your loved one may absolutely adore their adult daycare center and may not care going there a few times a week in order to cut the costs of an in-home caregiver. At the center they can make new friends, try new activities and get out of the house to avoid isolation and loneliness.

Hire Free or Low Cost Companion Care

Skilled, in-home caregivers can cost anywhere from $20 to $30 per hour. If you hire an in-home nurse, then they may even charge more for their services. If your loved one needs in-home care, but you are scrambling to find the money to hire a caregiver, then take a long hard look at what type of care your loved one truly needs. Do they need a nurse for medical reasons? Or could they be fine with just a companion? If they fall into the latter category, then you may be able to hire a companion caregiver. These caregivers are not trained and have no medical knowledge, but they can provide your loved one with the companionship they need. These caregivers can also help your loved one with household chores, cooking, errands and more. They often charge only minimum wage and can be found through a caregiving service or by running an ad in the newspaper.

Consider Assisted Living

If your loved one is really against going to a nursing home, then you might want to ask them what they think about assisted living facilities. Assisted living facilities vary from region to region, but many offer small apartments or houses for their residents. Your loved one could still live alone or with their spouse, but have the comfort of knowing that a nurse or a skilled caregiver is close by if needed. Assisted living facilities may provide your loved one with the independence they desire, while providing you with the peace of mind that you may long to have. Ask your loved one about assisted living facilities and offer to tour a few of them with them. They may take a tour of a facility and fall in love with it.

Nursing homes sometimes get a bad rap, but in reality, most nursing homes are actually very nice places to live. However, if your loved one has their reasons for not wanting to go to a nursing home, then you need to respect that. These alternatives to nursing homes can help your loved one stay comfortable so that they can enjoy their twilight years in peace. With these alternatives, your loved one may be able to stay in their own home and stay happy as they grow older.

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